Harrowing video shows trainer zapping greyhound with 6000-volt cattle prod
WARNING, DISTRESSING FOOTAGE: In the wake of the announcement greyhound racing will be banned in New South Wales, shocking video footage has emerged of a dog being zapped by an electric cattle prod before a race.
The video, released by the ABC, appears to show a trainer repeatedly shocking the animal as it waits in the starting box ahead of a race.
The handheld prod is believed to be a Parmak Stock Master, designed for large cattle and capable of delivering a 6000-volt shock.
It is understood the video was filmed at The Gardens tracks in Newcastle in 2012, however the clip has only recently surfaced, leading to racing authorities to identify the trainer involved and report him to the police.
The interim CEO of Greyhound Racing NSW, Paul Newsom, said in a statement that the police are considering charges in light of the confronting video.
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"Given the atrocious nature of the conduct depicted in the video, I have referred the preliminary findings, along with the video footage, to the NSW Police Force to examine whether criminal charges can be laid against those involved.
"It is disheartening to have uncovered another example of greyhound racing industry participants engaging in a serious act of animal cruelty."
NSW Premier Mike Baird earlier this month announced the industry would be shut down in his state from July 1, 2017, following a Special Commission of Inquiry.
“This is not an economic decision, it is not a revenue decision, this is an animal welfare decision,” he said making the announcement.
Mr Baird wrote on his official Facebook page that the move came in response to a year long investigation into the state’s greyhound racing, which revealed thousands of dogs had been killed, while also finding up to 10 to 20 per cent of trainers engaged in live baiting.
State governments around Australia are facing calls to follow NSW's lead in banning greyhound racing.
Between 48,000 to 68,000 greyhounds have been reportedly killed because they were too slow, over the past 12 years, and the amount of deaths or injuries has been misreported, a Special Commission inquiry found, according to ABC.
Animals Australia's Shatha Hamade said recently uncovered video justifies the NSW government's decision to end greyhound racing.
"This is another sickening example of the kind of cruelty that trainers in this industry are prepared and willing to inflict, and all for the sake of winning a prize purse," she said.
